Ifke Brunings & Patricia Hessing
We were already good friends when we were still studying in Delft and living together. When we had children of our own (around the same time), we realized we weren't happy with the children's furniture we saw around us.
Everything was made of plastic or MDF, in garish colors. That led us to design our own children's furniture, which we would also love to have in our own living rooms. It had to be furniture that children could use extensively, so it had to be able to withstand anything. In 2011, we launched STEK, the children's furniture line that also appeals to adults.
After STEK furniture was even exported to Japan, we decided to re-examine our designs.
We wanted something that wasn't just 'Dutch Design,' but also environmentally conscious. We carefully reviewed the design with our suppliers and, using clever, invisible joints, created a stronger and more environmentally friendly product. It can now be flat-packed and shipped, easily assembled, and easily moved or preserved for future generations. Our color palette has been adjusted, and we now use beautiful water-based stains that preserve the natural look of the birch wood.
The new collection includes a rocking chair, a chair, a table with storage, a bench, and a stool. Both the chair and the rocking chair also have a compartment behind the backrest, perfect for storing (coloring) books, for example. All the furniture easily supports a parent's weight, allowing you to sit level with your child.
By making high-quality, functional furniture, we want to contribute to the reduction of discarded children's furniture.
When your own children are grown, you can save the furniture for grandchildren, or pass it on to nieces, nephews, or friends. And of course, you can always use it as a bedside table or plant stand, which we do ourselves. It's truly a sustainable investment.
Now, our customers can easily assemble and disassemble all our furniture by hand. This saves a lot of air and glue, and makes the furniture easy to pack and ship flat. And at the end of a piece of furniture's lifespan, all components can be easily separated and recycled or reused.
